I know where you're coming from with Flickr vs. ipernity...it does take time to create a new network. But for me, Flickr doesn't work anymore. It's too slow. So I needed to really TRY to see if I could get ipernity to work for me. I spent about an hour each day for a couple of weeks gathering new contacts and commenting on new streams, replying to comments on my pictures, and I was very pleasantly surprised to find out that all I needed to do was make an effort. My comments/favs/contacts went right up and I suddenly found myself with bunches of new friends too. I will say that when I came over here, it seemed so quiet that I couldn't believe it would work out. Now I would truthfully say that my experience here is better than on Flickr. I think it's all about attitude...I was so unhappy to be forced to leave Flickr that at first I was pouting because I already HAD a nice following there, friends, contacts, and so forth. But once I decided to try...ipernity has turned out to be the real gem. The community is better, there are more "real" people, comments mean more. It's just better. Groups are still coming along, but its more about quality here than quantity, and again, the community is king. I'm proof that you can come over here with nothing and after a couple of months, be in a better place than previously on Flickr! :)

Thanks for your article, it was nice to read! :)

Thanks Janet and Zeze57.
My problem with Flickr is the overkill of material, you can hardly view ones images one by one. The first impression is a tableau of images. Changes in color or style often disturb the harmony. Never had a problem with that before.

Thanks for your reaction Trond. For most of your remarks, sadly enough, I must agree....

thanks Vicky; I agree: it's horrible to see Flickr slide in the wrong direction, without listening to the Flickerians who pleed against it....
For the time being I try to make the best out of both worlds; hope to see you again soon!

Joe, I agree tagging is a way to collect more hits in Flckr. Ipernity is more peacefull, but a nice place with nice members. Everything more relaxed here.... Thanks for your reaction.

Frameliner, a smaller communitiy, agreed; more active depends on who you mean. Thanks for your reaction, much appreciated.

I am not prepared to try and cope with the shambles they have made of Flickr. The arrogance of management's attitude towards their paying customer base is astonishing. Having been in the financial services industry all my working life, I realized when the provider isn't listening to the customer, the customer needs to walk. Sadly Panoramio looks as if it may be heading in the same direction, judging by the most recent changes there. Meanwhile Ipernity offers a calmness, and new contacts to be made over time, and old Flickr ones to be encouraged to vote with their feet...

Coldwaterjohn, thanks for your comment. I do fully agree with that customer remark. The strange thing in the IT world is that old rules not always apply. How many times did we disagree with microsoft..;-(